Repairing small patches on lining paper on wall

loulou41

I just had a complete rewiring and I need to re-decorate. I cannot afford it now as I have just moved into this house. It is a very old period house and the walls are all lined with paper and then painted over. The electrician told me, he noticed the walls are very crumbly when he was chasing the cables. Please can anybody give me some advice how I can repair the small patches of lining paper that has been torn on the wall. I am not sure whether I can fill with polyfilla and then paint over or remove completely that sheet of paper and reline. I am bit concerned whether the wall will crumble. Cannot afford to have it replaster it. I would apprpeciate some advice on this. Thanks

wallbash

Cannot afford to have it replaster it.

And with the danger of quote ... walls are very crumbly

My first thought , fill with polyfiller , sand and re-paper

NOT expensive

keystone

loulou41 wrote: »

I just had a complete rewiring and I need to re-decorate. I cannot afford it now as I have just moved into this house. It is a very old period house and the walls are all lined with paper and then painted over. The electrician told me, he noticed the walls are very crumbly when he was chasing the cables. Please can anybody give me some advice how I can repair the small patches of lining paper that has been torn on the wall. I am not sure whether I can fill with polyfilla and then paint over or remove completely that sheet of paper and reline. I am bit concerned whether the wall will crumble. Cannot afford to have it replaster it. I would apprpeciate some advice on this. Thanks

Depends on the size of the "patch" - small patch yes just use filler. If its a large patch then you don't have to remove a complete drop just cut a piece of lining paper to fit the patch. When dry lightly sand the join edges to get them flat and you won't notice the join. Use a fine surface filler if you have small gaps left. Light sand over when dry and out with the painting equipment.

Cheers

keystone

wallbash wrote: »

And with the danger of quote ... walls are very crumbly

My first thought , fill with polyfiller , sand and re-paper

NOT expensive

But the OP said small patches of lining paper torn not small patches of wall damaged.

Cheers

wallbash

The OP also talked about the electrician 'chasing ' the walls
Your way would work , but am thinking , how much ( DIY ) does a few rolls of lining paper cost ( plus paint)
All for saving money but you have to be realistic.

keystone

wallbash wrote: »

The OP also talked about the electrician 'chasing ' the walls
Your way would work , but am thinking , how much ( DIY ) does a few rolls of lining paper cost ( plus paint)
All for saving money but you have to be realistic.

Oh I agree entirely but the OP specifically asked for advice on repairing small patches of torn lining paper. Hours work (?) compared with a complete strip and repaper. In any event you'll never fill sparky's chases with filler in one hit. It needs plastering up. And yes in those circumstances I would completely strip and repaper. Still sand the joins before painting too.

Cheers

loulou41

Thanks, the advice asked is for repairing small patches of torn lining paper, very small about the size of a penny or less irregular. The walls which have been chased by sparky have been filled by a plasterer. I just wanted to know what other option I have, I really do not want to strip wallpaper and find out it needs to be replastered. I did ask the advice of a painter and he told me unless he strips the wall paper, he cannot tell its condition but he could try and repair and paint over for the sum of £650 (downstairs hall and stairwell), £1250 to strip and repaint but not plaster. Our concern is the condition of the wall. I am trying to see whether I can repair the patches myself temporary as they are very small (more unsightly ) but yo can live with them until I can afford to have it done by the painter. Thanks for alll you advice.

ormus

certainly repair them yourself with filler and paint. but its prob a temp job. sounds like the whole room (the wall?) may need a replastering at some future stage.